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Wednesday, June 12th 2024

The Armory At Sage College

(130 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208) & Virtual

Co-Presented By Our Hunger Prevention Champions:

8:00: Registration and Welcome

Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.

(Registration initially began at 8:30 a.m., but to allow for more time to settle in, we extended it to begin at 8:00 a.m)

9:00: Welcome Remarks

Welcome remarks will be promptly at 9:00 a.m. by Natasha Pernicka.

9:15: FED Talks

5-7 minutes presentations, in the style of TED talks, but about food.

Food is Love

Community building and the importance of food pantries from a lived experience perspective.

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Kizzy Williams

The Cultural Center at 64 Quail Street/Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen

Home Delivery: Why it matters

We will present the results of a study of 213 pantry consumers who receive their groceries via home delivery vs. in-pantry visits. The sample consists of consumers who utilize pantries in four counties of the Capital Region. Our Fed talk will focus on why home delivery is a much needed service.

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Cynthia Bott

Siena College

Sarah Toledano

Siena College

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New York’s Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver: How Nutrition Can Lean In

The recent approval of New York’s Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver presents enormous opportunities to better address the connection between diet and health across the state. However, with these opportunities come new risks and challenges for nutrition organizations, health care providers, and plans. This FED talk will describe the 1115 Waiver initiative, and why it is so critical for nutrition stakeholders to lean in so that the waiver does not become a missed opportunity for the state.

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Katie Garfield, JD

Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, Harvard Law School

MTM Bill: Reaching Medicare Beneficiaries with medically tailored home-delivered meals

Medicare beneficiaries are often diagnosed with serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure, severe diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other diagnoses. Providing medically tailored home-delivered meals to individuals experiencing complex and severe illness has demonstrated that these meals yield a lower number of hospitalizations and a decrease in emergency room visits. Learn about The Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Demonstration Act, an opportunity with bipartisan support to serve Medicare beneficiaries across the country over a period of four years. This FED talk will review the details of how meals are currently covered in Medicare and how the proposed Demonstration Act will provide the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) an opportunity to evaluate more fully how the model achieves savings and maintains or improves quality and where CMS has the authority to expand the model to be incorporated into the full Medicare program.

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Dorella Walters

God's Love We Deliver

Cultivating Connections: Strengthening the Safety Net through Collaboration

Dive into the transformative potential of relationship-building in reshaping local food systems. Focused on BIPOC and immigrant communities in upstate New York, they will share insights on fostering collaboration between government agencies, food partners, mutual aid networks and immigrant groups. Attendees will learn about the initiatives undertaken, shared practices of sustainability through partnership and collaborative projects supporting systemically underserved communities. The speakers will outline strategic steps, challenges faced, and innovative solutions implemented. This presentation aims to inspire actionable insights for organizations seeking to strengthen safety nets through collaborative partnerships and food justice efforts.

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B. Kennedy (They/He)

Columbia County Sanctuary Movement

Jammella Anderson (they/them)

Free Food Fridge Albany

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10:00: Keynote Speaker

Moving Beyond the Curtain: Food Insecurity and The Yellow Brick Road Out of OZ

For decades front line emergency food providers have hungered to make sustainable and impactful community based change, have worked long hours to meet community need, and have often scraped by with the deepest levels of care and shallowest levels of external support. In this talk, West Side Campaign Against Hunger CEO and founder of the Roundtable NYC will dive deep into the work of West Side Campaign Against Hunger, The Roundtable and The Alliance for a Hunger Free NY to showcase the power of collaboration across our vast frontline network. As a dad with two young girls, Greg knows the power of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, and in this talk he will focus beyond the curtain and on the collaborative road we can take towards truly making sustainable change in our communities across the state.

10:30: Keynote Responders

Several experts will pull on their expertise in various fields to respond to Chef Greg Silverman's remarks on how we can truly make sustainable change in our communities.

Whitley Hasty

Foodlink

Annette Nielsen

Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center

Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara

NYS 111th Assembly District

Joel Berg

Hunger Free America

11:15: Lunch

Catered by:

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12:00: Session 1

Strengthening The Safety Net

Beyond Food Access: Supporting Rural Communities and Producers

Supporting local producers and feeding communities demands stronger collaboration and working on upstream and downstream approaches to improving food access. This presentation will discuss challenges and opportunities in rural food access, specifically related to collaboration to increase NYS products (fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy, and grains) as well as the constraints of Nourish NY, HPNAP, and New York Food for Families. It will highlight strategies to increase local food procurement and opportunities for stronger and more resilient partnerships with farmers, agencies, and communities.

Improved Health Outcomes and Increase Food Access through Growing Food

Explore how cultivating gardens and community farms can enhance community health and nutrition. Learn from experts about the transformative impact of growing food on local economies, school, and food security. Discover innovative strategies for promoting healthy eating habits and empowering individuals to become food producers. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the intersection of agriculture, health, and community development in fostering a healthier and more sustainable future.

Serving Kosher and Halal Clients: Expanding Equity & Access for all New Yorkers

In this workshop we will discuss how Met Council distributes millions of pounds of kosher and halal food annually by leveraging our expertise in serving clients with religiously informed dietary requirements, approaching policy with purpose and leveraging technology.
We will then showcase the approaches we rely on to providing culturally competent food access for our clients throughout the year, including ensuring their needs are met during special holidays. In this workshop we will share information on how providers and advocates can work to expand their outreach. We would also like to offer Kosher and Halal 101 training to participants so that they feel more equipped to potentially serve their neighbors with religiously informed dietary needs.

Transformative Collaborations: Building Lasting Change in Hunger Relief

Discover how United Way, 211, and DoorDash unite to combat hunger, especially during crises like COVID-19. Learn the power of strategic partnerships in community resilience and tackling complex challenges. Explore technological solutions enhancing scalability and efficiency in food delivery. Witness community empowerment and capacity-building through local engagement. Gain insights for future collaborations, scalability, and sustainability. Benefit from practical lessons and networking opportunities. This presentation will share impactful insights on hunger relief and community resilience.

Food as Medicine

Overview of Food As Medicine Interventions

The session goal is to illustrate how--in addition to income--other social determinants of health pose a barrier to food security; consider the diversity of Food is Medicine (FIM) treatment options; and understand the different types of benefits different solutions offer, and what interventions might work best for different patients.

Teaching Kitchen Benefits for All Ages

Understanding nutrition, from childhood to adulthood, is vital for good health. Culinary education offers timeless lessons in growing, shopping, and preparing nutrient-rich, culturally relevant meals. This knowledge impacts healthcare, food sustainability, the environment, and financial welfare. Initiatives like the CUNY Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center Teaching Kitchen pilot project in East Harlem showcase practical solutions, combining a Smart Pantry for students with cooking classes. By sourcing seasonally and locally (through GrowNYC), reducing waste, and offering budget-friendly options, nutritious meals become accessible to all. Examples from rural to urban settings demonstrate the power of regional food connections. Empowering individuals with culinary skills and basic nutrition information promotes health and resilience across communities.

Ending Hunger Through Action

Advocacy 101: Your Questions, Answered

Explore the fundamentals of effective advocacy in our Q&A session. Join experts as they share insights and tips on lobbying tactics, preparation, and more. This interactive discussion offers a candid look at the advocacy process, providing attendees with valuable knowledge to navigate and engage in meaningful advocacy efforts. Bring your questions and join us for an informative session designed to empower individuals to make a difference in their communities through effective advocacy practices.

Collaboration in the Face of Competition: The Nourish NY Dream Team

Is it better to be collaborative or competitive? Should we be generous or selfish? When several Albany and Troy programs received the Nourish New York (NNY) grant, we decided to create the "NNY Dream Team" and invented a new process to share NY grown food with new networks of food pantries in various settings: urban, rural and in public schools. We enjoy talking about cider donuts, halal chicken, and flavored honey. See how these pantries came together to make those dollars stretch for dozens of pantries in 3 counties.

Hosting a Press Conference

Join our beginner-level workshop on hosting press conferences. Learn essential skills to effectively plan, organize, and execute successful media events. Discover strategies for crafting compelling messages, inviting media coverage, and managing press interactions. Whether you're a nonprofit, business, or individual seeking to amplify your message, this workshop equips you with the tools to confidently navigate the world of media relations.

1:00: Session 2

Strengthening The Safety Net

Mobilizing a Volunteer Base

Learn strategies to recruit, engage, and retain a dedicated volunteer base. Discover effective communication techniques, tailored recruitment methods, and meaningful ways to recognize volunteers' contributions. Whether you're leading a nonprofit, community organization, or grassroots movement, this workshop provides practical insights for maximizing volunteer impact. Gain the tools and confidence to build a strong and committed volunteer team, driving positive change in your community.

Sustainable Funding 101: How to create diversified funding streams

Discover the essential principles and practical strategies for building sustainable funding for your organization or cause in this workshop. In this session, participants will delve into the fundamentals of developing diverse revenue sources to ensure financial stability and resilience.

The Role of Technology in Food Assistance

Technology has made serious advancements in how we address food insecurity in a dignified manner. Learn how innovative technologies are revolutionizing food access initiatives, from distribution logistics to engagement neighbors. Gain insights into the latest software tools empowering organizations to tackle food insecurity effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to discover how these companies are driving positive change and enhancing access to nutritious food for all.

Food as Medicine

FAM Providers: Balancing Tailoring to the Individual While Serving Larger Populations

Hear from Food as Medicine providers about how they balance tailoring their services to individuals and also how they manage larger operations.

Leading DEI in Food-is-Medicine

America is on the cusp of a healthcare revolution. Food-is-Medicine is finding its way into mainstream healthcare and integrated into standard patient care. The new model of reimbursement has the ability to change our Sick-Care into Health-Care by treating chronic diseases, many of them are diet-related, at their very roots.

But do we have the blueprint for the success of the Food-is-Medicine services? How do we ensure Food-is-Medicine is not another White Supremacy tool to discriminate or shame but an apparatus to heal and protect ethnic minorities who need food intervention the most?

Join Dr Yen Ang, the vice president of Health Equity at Tangelo, one of the biggest Food-is-Medicine organizations in California for an honest and forward-looking discussion on the Food-is-Medicine movement, and how Diversity-Equity-Inclusion is central to its success.

Optimizing Medically Tailored Meals (MTM): Program, Policy, and Research

Gain insights into best practices vital for successful MTM implementation. Through a deep dive into intentional program design, key elements like Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, HIPAA compliant technology, and secure data sharing will be explored. The discussion will underscore the crucial link between local, state, and federal advocacy and evidence-based research, showcasing how historical MTM successes stem from a fusion of research, policy, and practice. Attendees will learn to position MTM as a cornerstone of holistic health plans, addressing the needs of individuals with multiple illnesses. Innovative approaches responding to evolving MTM landscapes will also be examined, offering valuable insights for impactful interventions.

Ending Hunger Through Action

Engage Lived Experience in Your Work

In this workshop, we will review what lived experience is and look at different ways to work with communities, discussing what works well and what doesn’t. Then, we will explore how to include people with lived experience in your own work.

Innovations in the Nutrition Incentive Space in NYS

Discuss the current landscape of Double Up Food Bucks in NYS, as well as how current innovations are shaping the future of nutrition incentives, improving access to fruits and vegetables and removing barriers for customers to receive the benefits of Double Up Food Bucks New York.

Innovative Strategies to Increase WIC Participation

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is among the nation's most successful, cost-effective public health programs. Yet only slightly more than half of eligible New Yorkers participate in the program. Participation rates vary widely by geography and participant group. For example, a majority WIC-eligible people participating in Medicaid or SNAP do not participate in WIC, and WIC benefit redemption rates remain low for eligible asylum-seekers.

This panel will discuss innovative strategies that New York nonprofits are taking to increase participation. Speakers will discuss healthcare strategies that state agencies could promote to improve WIC participation, as well as a new peer navigator model to increase participation rates among asylum seekers.

2:00: Session 3

Strengthening The Safety Net

Food Recovery: Feeding Communities, Not Landfills

Explore effective approaches to food recovery from experts in rescuing surplus food, minimizing waste, and redistributing to those in need. Learn about effective collection, storage, and distribution methods. Discover innovative approaches to maximize impact and promote sustainability in food recovery efforts. Join us to gain practical insights and tools for making a difference in your community's food recovery initiatives.

Navigating Food Assistance through Food Pantries

In this workshop we will discuss the intricacies of being referred to and going to a food pantry. We will look at the barriers that our guests face when going to the pantry and how our Food Access Referral Team works to help guests navigate these barriers.

Summer Meals Collaborative Dream Session

Join us in envisioning a brighter future for children in the Greater Capital Region! The Summer Meals Collaborative (SMC) strives to make our area the ultimate summer destination for kids. Celebrating milestones like serving over two million meals in 2023, we're committed to nourishing bodies, minds, and spirits. While progress has been made, there's more work to be done. Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, we aim to reach every child in need. In our discussion, we'll explore the role of federal programs, community partnerships, and our vision for a summer filled with nutritious food and enriching experiences. Let's build a movement together!

The Food Sovereignty Fund: investing in shared abundance

Originating in a year’s worth of community conversations and resource sharing, Glynwood’s Food Sovereignty Fund has been contracting small-scale farmers from historically marginalized backgrounds to supply fresh, nutrient-dense, culturally significant food to frontline food access programs since 2020. To date, more than 230,000 pounds of vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, and poultry have been distributed, and in 2023 approximately 15,000 households received food through the program. In 2024, the Food Sovereignty Fund will support and facilitate partnerships between approximately forty farms and food access programs. Critical elements of the program that will be discussed are the process for contracting farms and reporting deliveries, building and operating refrigerated “mini-hubs” for aggregation and distribution of food, and implementing language justice practices with the program cohort. This panel features the experts on the ground (farmers, organizers, food pantry managers) who designed and implement this program. It will also preview the forthcoming Food Sovereignty Fund toolkit that summarizes challenges, lessons learned, and suggested best practices for others to adopt and replicate this program in their communities.

Food as Medicine

Continuing Healthy Choices

Hear about the out-of-the box solutions to how each of these organizers are encouraging healthy decisions from consumers.

Nutrition and New York’s Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver: A Beginner’s Workshop

New York is on the verge of a major new initiative to improve health equity within its Medicaid program (i.e., the program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families across the state). As part of these efforts, New York will be introducing important new opportunities to address health-related social needs, including nutrition. In this workshop we will be providing an introduction to the waiver initiative and the role of nutrition. We will then have an interactive discussion regarding how nutrition stakeholders can prepare for waiver implementation, build new partnerships, and inform state decision-making moving forward.

Ending Hunger Through Action

Food Apartheid: Throughout the Supply Chain

In the U.S., communities facing food disparities need united action for transformative change. Empowering BIPOC and women in the food industry is crucial. This vision entails dismantling food apartheid, eradicating deserts, and prioritizing inclusive, equitable sourcing. Grassroots initiatives led by marginalized groups foster local solutions and empowerment. To achieve this, government, philanthropy, and private sectors must prioritize funding and resources. Education and skill development programs are vital for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. This movement transcends mere sustenance, aiming for social and economic justice. It's about empowering communities to control their destinies, fostering unity, and reflecting our collective diversity and strength.

Opportunities for Food Systems Collaboration

The presenters on this panel engage in innovative advocacy efforts to affect policy change through the formation and engagement of their food-security councils, coalitions, and networks. Hear about the ways in which each approaches the relationship- and trust-building that allow for the most effective collaborations locally and across the state.

Realizing the Right to Food in NYS

More than 44 million people across the U.S. struggle every month to provide enough food for themselves and their families – it’s the highest rate of food insecurity we’ve ever experienced in this country. And that’s despite the multi-million dollars flowing into food banks annually. Clearly, charity alone doesn’t end hunger. And food production isn’t the problem either – we already produce enough food to feed 1.5 times our current population. We’re all impacted by this but especially our neighbors of color. So what if we built enough people power – especially people who are currently struggling to put three healthy meals on the table alongside the family farmers who produce nutritious whole foods – to amplify that food is a human right, to lift up the real reasons why people are hungry. Such as low wages, rising housing and healthcare costs, polluted waterways, and corporations using their wealth and political influence to capture more wealth. The National Right to Food Community of Practice is building such a coalition. We believe that food is a basic human right and that to make it so is to start developing solutions and changing public opinion and policy in the places close to home – our rural towns, our cities and suburbs, at our state capitals. How can we balance the tension between the current need for food charity, including destigmatizing its use, while working towards its eradication? Where does your work fit into the continuum from charity to justice… Or how could it? What programmatic features would turn it into a lever for systems change, propelling us to move along the continuum towards strong local food farm economies and the progressive realization of food as a human right?

3:00: Session 4

Strengthening The Safety Net

Children Speak on Food Access

Along with South End Children's Cafe's Board Vice President, Antionette Santos, Nyree, age 12, Javion, age 12, Bella, age 9 and Lily, age 9 will talk about the importance of having access to healthy foods, their experiences sharing meals at the Children's Cafe for the past 5 years and how to get children to try and eat healthy foods.

Meet Neighbors Where They're At: From Pantry to Guest

Creative models of moving food from pantries to guests

Unlocking Insights: Lessons from Community Partnerships in Research

Collaborations between academics and community organizations can yield remarkable and transformative results. However, these partnerships must be rooted on trust and shared objectives. Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the lessons learned from a research project that explores the environmental and health impacts of surplus produce redistribution and policies like Nourish New York and the organics waste ban.
How can academic research directly benefit practitioners and organizations? How can community organizations and academic partners can effectively connect for future collaborations? Join us for engaging discussions on practical insights and strategies to foster meaningful partnerships that drive real-world change. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, share, and network with fellow professionals and scholars. Let's work together to create impactful, sustainable solutions for our communities.

Food as Medicine

Building Bridges: Collaborative Approaches to Addressing Health-Related Social Needs

Health-Related Social Needs programs along with state and federal initiatives which seek to improve access to care and quality of life continue to expand. A collaborative approach with partners of all forms and sizes is imperative to support needed services in our local communities. Hear from mission-driven organizations who are forging practical pathways to improve relationship building, contracting, and strategic partnerships to fill gaps and drive person-centered outcomes. You’ll come away with innovative ideas about how your organization can take an active, collaborative role in these initiatives.

Food as Medicine for Medicare Populations

Explore GrowNYC’s Over-The-Counter (OTC) program: Expanding food access for Medicare beneficiaries through healthcare partnerships. Discover how Healthfirst members can use OTC benefits at Greenmarkets for locally sourced food. Learn about GrowNYC’s mission, key partnerships, and benefits for payors, members, and farmers. Gain insights into program implementation and future expansion efforts.

Nutritious Food and Sustainable Food Production

Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote of Saratoga Community Health Center and Daniel Williams of Pitney Meadows Community Farm describe how our multidimensional collaboration pairs food access with land access to promote a holistic and healthy relationship with food. We consider three key programs which have engaged CHC patients in the twin joys of nutritious food and sustainable food production.

First, the NutritionRx program provides patients with seasonal, farm-fresh produce, while simultaneously offering nutritional, culinary, and agricultural education. Second, CHC’s vegetable garden, supported by Pitney Meadows’ Sovereign Gardens Initiative, offers on-site engagement in food production and supplements the CHC’s pantry. Finally, both CHC employees and patients participate in the Farm’s harvest opportunities, building more meaningful relationships with food, land, and community.

By sharing our efforts to promote nutritional education, gardening opportunities, and participation in the rhythms of agriculture, we demonstrate that a long-term, direct collaboration between healthcare providers and food producers offers an effective way to promote the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Ending Hunger Through Action

Childhood Poverty and Hunger Advocacy

Panelists will discuss the multifaceted challenges faced by children living in poverty and experiencing hunger. From the detrimental effects on physical health and cognitive development, to barriers to academic success and future opportunities, the discussion will delve into the wide-ranging consequences of these systemic issues. Discover actionable steps to advocate for systemic reforms and ensure every child has access to nutritious food and vital resources. Join us as we work towards a future where no child goes hungry or lacks the opportunities they deserve.

QT*BIPOC-led Food Supply Chains: Disrupting Racism in NYS Food Systems

In recent years, it has become clear that systematic racism has a negative impact on New York’s agriculture and food systems. In New York, nearly 97.7% of producers reporting full ownership of farm operations identify as white. As a result, of New York’s 57,865 farmers, only 1.2% are Queer and Trans and Black, Indigenous and other farmers of color (QT*BIPOC). White farmers are also the only demographic group with an average size, net cash farm income, and farm-related income higher than the state average of $42,875, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Additionally, diet-related diseases are the leading cause of death in Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color in NY in the last two decades. Thus, a disconnect between culturally appropriate food produced by the farmers with the ancestral knowledge of those crops and its accessibility, both physically and economically, has decreased food and nutrition security, rural economic development, and environmental sustainability. In this panel, we will learn more about the collaborative approaches and partnerships developed by emergents QT*BIPOC-led food supply chains grounded in solidarity economy and food sovereignty.

The Intersection of Community Based Organizing and Advocacy

Explore the dynamic intersection of community-based organizing and advocacy in our workshop. Discover effective strategies for grassroots mobilization, coalition-building, and policy influence. Learn how to amplify community voices, drive meaningful change, and create lasting impact. Join us as we delve into practical tools and inspirational examples that empower communities to advocate for social justice and equity.

4:00: Closing Remarks

Food Summit Logo.654d34695a6687.69645606.png

Wednesday, June 12th 2024

The Armory At Sage College

(130 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208) & Virtual

Co-Presented By Our Hunger Prevention Champions:

Our Supporters:

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